Connie Marcum Wong | + Follow Poet |
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Notes About The Poem

Myna Bird Solace

There they were, in the center of
our asphalt cul-de-sac street
circled around their dead companion,
four common myna birds, holding
their own semblance of a funeral.
I slowly backed out of my driveway
and passed by them in quiet reverie.
They didn't attempt to fly away or
even move as I passed by them.
Tears flooded my eyes as I realized
how much they were deeply grieving.
Their friend was truly loved and grieved
as we'd grieve the loss of a loved one.
Later on when I returned home the 
dead bird was gone, and so were they.

© Connie Marcum Wong

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Vladislav Raven Date: 1/10/2019 1:14:00 PM Hi Connie, I am touched by your wonderful write. Your words paint your BEAutifully. One can see so clearly the scene. This write came from your beautiful heart. Ready now for the tears to come as I read again. A beautiful composition. A fave. Have a wonderful Thursday. hugs....Mike. XX Login to Reply Connie Marcum Wong Date: 1/10/2019 1:38:00 PM Thank you Mike. Animals have feeling just as we do and they deserve our respect. We may not understand what they are saying but we may know through their actions. I was touched by their mourning of their companion. Thank you very much for your comment and fave. You spoil me with honoring my humble poem. xxoo

John Fleming Date: 9/26/2017 2:53:00 PM How are you keeping, Connie? Well I earnestly hope! Enjoyed your little poem very much...it has a solemn reverence about it. My very warmest regards, Connie...as always of course. :) john Login to Reply

John Fleming Date: 9/26/2017 2:49:00 PM Birds are perhaps the most intelligent of animal species on the face of this planet. I once watched a Robin, over the course of two days, observing a diving Kingfisher. Suddenly he dove headfirst into the brook in an attempt to emulate what he had been so fastidiously watching - he failed miserably! Undeterred he tried again...and again...and again! Several hours later he was rewarded for his stupendous determination -- a small Stickleback - What a staunch little bird! Nicely espoused, Connie. Login to Reply

Lynn Marie Date: 9/16/2017 2:54:00 AM This had me in tears. You pen images that shine a light on your beautiful heart and show our connection to all in nature with grace. Exquisite writing Connie, not soon to be forgotten. a fave... thinking of you xo Login to Reply Connie Marcum Wong Date: 9/19/2017 2:25:00 AM Oh, thank you so much Lynn. It was a touching scene that I often remember when I see these birds hopping about the street. I felt compelled to write about it. Thank you so much for the fave. : )xxoo

John Michaels Date: 9/15/2017 12:28:00 PM A sad and heartfelt little tale, Connie. I know there are certain animals that partner for life and, if one dies, the other just pines for them but never takes another mate. And we call *them* animals? All the best, John. Login to Reply Connie Marcum Wong Date: 9/19/2017 2:26:00 AM I agree John. Thank you for your nice comment. Much appreciated! : )

Rajat Kanti Chakrabarty Date: 9/3/2017 6:18:00 AM Very tenderly portrayed Connie.Love. Login to Reply

Ravindra K Kapoor Date: 8/29/2017 9:27:00 AM How beautifully you have described the sad loss of these birds dear friend Connie. Coming back to PS after a long time due to sudden sickness and then sad demise of my wife on 19th July. I have placed a poem today as Homage for her. Love and best wishes....Ravindra K Kapoor Login to Reply Connie Marcum Wong Date: 8/30/2017 4:52:00 AM It is so sad to hear of your great loss Ravindra. Please accept my heartfelt sympathies. If I can help in any way please let me know? I will be happy to post a message on the blog for you. Just let me know in soup mail what you want posted. Thank you my friend. I am glad you are better and hope you can sense the love I am sending you. Blessings, Connie

Joseph May Date: 8/28/2017 5:11:00 PM I've seen elephants do it, I guess many creatures grieve in one way or another... Can those birds talk? Login to Reply Connie Marcum Wong Date: 8/28/2017 7:17:00 PM Yes, they can be taught to speak Joseph. They are very intelligent. Thanks, Connie : )

Susan Ashley Date: 8/28/2017 12:59:00 PM Ohhh Connie, an amazing moment you witnessed! I totally believe and have experienced that animals are thinking beings that feel and process and possess emotions. A beautifully expressed write that made me feel like I witnessed it with you. Awesome and thank you for shining the light on this issue :) Login to Reply

Winged Warrior Date: 8/28/2017 11:43:00 AM They are no different from us...all intelligent living things grieve...beautifully written my friend...god bless all animals...^WW^ Login to Reply

Arthur Vaso Date: 8/27/2017 8:34:00 PM I found this truly beautiful and to have empathy for all living things shows your kind spirit! Great poem Connie! Login to Reply Connie Marcum Wong Date: 8/28/2017 12:30:00 AM I hate to see anything or anyone suffering Arthur. Elephants actually shed real tears over the death of a loved one. Thank you : )

Dean Wood Date: 8/27/2017 8:28:00 PM A lot of feeling in this poem Connie. I've heard the Myna are smart. You feel deeply Connie. I seen it in a lot of your work. I suppose that is why I like reading your poems. Regards, Dean Login to Reply Connie Marcum Wong Date: 8/28/2017 12:27:00 AM I could tell they were feeling sad and not just curious. They acted like they felt helpless to do anything. I do have empathy for anything suffering. Thank you for your kind words Dean. : )

Andrea Dietrich Date: 8/27/2017 7:33:00 PM wow, Connie. It really makes you stop and think how deeply they grieve. I guess it depends on the intelligence level of the animal and those ARE pretty smart birds. Love this! (then ya hear about the animals eating their babies and ya think, hmmmm) Login to Reply Connie Marcum Wong Date: 8/28/2017 12:22:00 AM I know Andrea. Myna birds can be taught to speak and they are very intelligent like ravens and crows. You could tell they were not just curious, that they were mourning their friend. Thanks, Connie : )

Emile Pinet Date: 8/27/2017 4:49:00 PM Your simple words say a lot and convey strong emotions without a lot of window dressing. Nice job my friend, Emile. Login to Reply

Joanna Daniel Date: 8/27/2017 9:34:00 AM Oh, that must have been a sad moment, Connie, well described.. Login to Reply

Kim Rodrigues Date: 8/27/2017 8:25:00 AM You caught a nice moment. Great poem! Login to Reply

Vijay Pandit Date: 8/27/2017 6:13:00 AM The feelings and emotions reach well beyond humans--so well illustrated in your poem--so touching, Connie! Login to Reply Connie Marcum Wong Date: 8/28/2017 12:17:00 AM Thank you very much Vijay. You could really see how upset they were. : )

Jan Allison Date: 8/27/2017 4:19:00 AM Oh Gosh Connie I have tears in my eyes I found your story so moving, and it shows they have emotions like we do .Into my faves:-) hugs jan xx Login to Reply Connie Marcum Wong Date: 8/28/2017 12:16:00 AM Oh thank you Jan. I knew that birds mourned the loss of their own baby bird, but I thought that birds accepted things that happened, but never knew they mourned like elephants do. I think all creatures morn to a certain extent. Thank you so much for the fave. Hugs, Connie

Edlynn Nau Date: 8/27/2017 2:16:00 AM I love that this finds the connection that strings us all together, no matter the species. You captured that recognition of both life an death and the great loss felt and transféréd from them to you! So often we see animals with human feelings and then we catch ourselves and réalisé we are all animals. The "respect" in this writing is beautifully portrayed! Login to Reply